As a freelancer, there are many things you have to juggle. You have to find clients, maintain relationships with those clients, work on your craft or conduct your business, make sure you’re being paid accurately and on time, and much more.
It’s easy for any of these issues to get the best of you and become frustrating, but if you think about it in just the right way it becomes a lot easier to stay positive. Here are five tips for working as a freelancer:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Being a fully fulfilled and well-paid freelancer is attainable with the right strategies and mindset. |
| 2. Freelancers can find fulfillment by pursuing their passions and aligning their work with their values. |
| 3. Developing in-demand skills and staying updated on industry trends can lead to higher-paying freelance opportunities. |
| 4. Building a strong professional network and leveraging online platforms can help freelancers attract clients and secure well-paying projects. |
| 5. Balancing work-life integration, setting boundaries, and practicing self-care are essential for maintaining well-being as a freelancer. |
1. Don’t Try To Be Everything For Everyone
If you’re a freelancer who’s trying to be everything for everyone, it’s time to go back to the drawing board. Don’t try to be a jack of all trades and master of none; focus on what you do best.
It doesn’t matter how much experience you have in your industry or how many certifications you’ve earned; when clients hire a freelancer, they’re hiring them because that person has specific strengths which align with their business goals. If you can’t identify those strengths or if you don’t know what they are you’ll never make it as a successful freelancer.
Building a successful freelance career while maintaining a full-time job can be challenging, but it offers numerous advantages. Check out our article on 6 Reasons to Be a Freelancer in Addition to Having a Full-Time Job to discover why freelancing can be a great choice for your career.
2. Don’t Be Afraid To Specialize
Specialize. If you’re passionate about something, and if you have a knack for it, then you can build an audience around that passion or knack. You’ll have something unique to offer:
- A niche product or service that no one else is offering (yet)
- A deep understanding of the subject matter
- A high-quality product or service
Whatever your field of expertise is, there are probably many other people who could do the same job as well as or better than you but wouldn’t want to because it doesn’t interest them enough. So why not be the one who does?
3. Don’t Be Afraid To Choose Who You Want To Work With
This is a big one, and it’s not just about being picky when it comes to who you want to work for. What I mean by this is that you are the expert in your field and your clients are hiring you because they need what you have to offer. It’s essential that before accepting any freelance job, both parties feel confident that they will be able to collaborate well together.
If a client asks something unreasonable or makes an unreasonable request like having their logo designed within 24 hours for $50 think twice before jumping at the opportunity (or even taking it!). There are plenty more clients out there who won’t make unrealistic demands on your time, so don’t rush into taking anything just because it sounds good at first glance!
Are you a part of Generation Z looking to thrive in the freelance economy? We’ve got you covered! Explore our insightful tips in 15 Tips to Help Gen Z Achieve Success in the Freelance Economy to enhance your freelance journey and reach your goals.
4. Make Sure You Can Deliver What You Promise
You’re a freelancer, which means that there is no one to hold you accountable for what you say and do.
This is not an excuse for being lazy or making shoddy work; rather, it means that the only person who will have the final say over whether or not your client is satisfied with your services is YOU.
If they’re not satisfied, there won’t be anyone else to blame but yourself which is why it’s so important that you make sure everything goes smoothly from start to finish!
5. Start By Working On A Few Projects That Will Make You Comfortable Financially
You should also make sure that you’re comfortable with the client and their needs. In other words, if you’re going to be working independently, it’s important to have a good professional relationship with your clients.
This means having clear communication and expectations for the project. It’s also helpful if you can work together remotely so that there are no misunderstandings about where things stand in terms of progress on the project.
It helps if you begin by picking smaller projects first before moving on to larger ones for example, instead of trying to go from zero freelance experience straight into working with clients who expect extensive outreach or complex deliverables from freelancers.
Start by finding some small gigs where all your responsibilities include only writing content for a blog article or social media post (or something similar).
This will allow you time to get used to working as a freelancer while still making money along the way!
6. Don’t Feel Guilty About Charging A Higher Hourly Rate Than Your Client Makes
You should be charging your clients a higher hourly rate than they pay their employees. Here’s how to calculate what that should be:
Calculate the median income per hour in your area. You can do this by looking at Bureau of Labor Statistics data, or by asking someone who works in the industry you’re trying to join.
Divide your expected output by how many hours it will take you to produce it (or estimate). Don’t forget about taxes and other expenses! In my case, I wanted to create 100 blog posts per month, so I divided my estimated monthly income of $10,000 by 1/12th of that number which came out to $833 / mo., or $967 / project (13 client contacts = 1 project).
Multiply that number by 10x (or whatever number is below market value but still feels fair)
If you have a passion for writing and an interest in the renewable energy industry, becoming a freelance writer in this field can be a rewarding career path. Learn how to kick-start your journey with our comprehensive guide on How to Become a Freelance Writer in the Renewable Energy Industry.
7. Sign Up For Freelancer Communities And Attend Events In Your Area Where Freelancers Gather
One of the best things you can do to support your career as a freelancer is to get out there and network with other freelancers.
Freelance communities are just that: groups of people who have similar interests, who support each other, and who gather together for events. They’re important because they allow you to meet other people in your area and learn from them.
Freelancer communities are everywhere, but not all of them are created equal. There are dozens of them across the country, so it’s up to you how deep into this world you want to dive. Here are some good places to start:
- Meetup groups (like this one in New York City)
- Local universities or colleges (some campuses have internships or special classes for students)
- Facebook groups (like this one where everyone is invited)
8. Learn From Other Freelancers And Share Your Knowledge With Them As Well, But Also Learn From Other People Outside Of The Freelance World
Learn from other freelancers and share your knowledge with them as well, but also learn from other people outside of the freelance world.
Learning from other freelancers is important, but learning from people outside of the freelance world can help you learn more about how other people work, as well as how they think. Plus it’s a great way to build networks that will help you down the road when you’re looking for your next job or client!
9. Follow Blogs, Read Books, And Sign Up For Courses That Teach About All Aspects Of Running A Business
In the last few years, more and more people have taken to the idea of being a freelancer. It’s no secret that this lifestyle is less than ideal. There are many challenges that freelancers face which can lead to frustration and exhaustion.
However, with some effort, you can overcome these challenges and live a fulfilling life as a freelancer. To do this, you need to understand what makes freelance work so difficult for many people and how you can avoid those pitfalls yourself.
If you’re interested in becoming a full-time freelancer but don’t know where to start or what skills are required for success in this career path then this article will help get you started on your way down that path!
10. Work On Projects That You Can Use As Examples When You Approach New Clients
If your goal is to land a new client and become the go-to person for their business, it’s important to show off your work in a way that encourages them to hire you. If you have a portfolio of websites, apps, and other digital products that are fully developed from start to finish, be sure to send those over with your proposal.
Not only will this help convince clients that they should hire you based on experience (and reduce their risk), but it will also give them an idea of what working together could look like if things go well!
Generation Z is playing a significant role in shaping the freelance economy. Discover the impact and opportunities it brings by delving into our article, Generation Z Is Driving a Freelance Economy, where we explore the trends and contributions of this dynamic generation.
11. Always Ask For Recommendations And Referrals At The End Of Each Project Or When The Deal Is Done
Ask for referrals at the end of a project.
Once you’ve delivered your work and helped your client to understand how to use it, you must ask them if they know anyone else who could benefit from your services. If they do, make sure to leave their contact details so that the friend can get in touch with you directly.
If there’s anything else I can help with…
If someone doesn’t give you a recommendation on the spot, don’t fret! Leave them with this parting thought: “If there are any other projects or questions that come up for which my skills might be useful, do not hesitate to reach out via phone or email I’m always happy to help!”
12. Start By Working With Small Businesses Instead Of Trying To Land Fortune 500 Companies Right Away
When you’re first starting as a freelancer, it can be daunting to think of landing major clients. It’d be great to get paid well and work with large corporations, but these companies often have their in-house marketing teams and agencies. These teams are often difficult for small businesses to compete with and this is especially true when you’re just starting.
By starting with smaller companies instead of Fortune 500s, you’ll find that the competition isn’t quite as stiff and there’s less red tape involved in getting your foot in the door.
Plus, smaller business owners tend to value your talents more than those of larger corporations because they know exactly how much work goes into the projects they handoff (or how much time and money they could save on other projects by delegating them).
13. Create A Good Portfolio Website And Populate It With Your Best Work
You’ve got your website, you’ve got your first client, and now it’s time to start building up your portfolio.
Your portfolio website should include samples of all of the best work you’ve done so far. Show off everything from that website redesign you did for a friend to those Excel dashboards you made for last week’s meeting at work. You want clients to see how much experience and talent you have and what kind of projects they can hire you for!
Once people are looking at your site, consider adding packages or services that would be useful for them as potential clients. This could be anything from an hourly rate package (for example $150 an hour) down to individual freelance services like digital marketing help ($50 per project).
If you aspire to become a top-rated freelancer on Upwork, we’ve got a step-by-step guide just for you. Check out How to Become a Top-Rated Freelancer on Upwork: A Step-by-Step Guide to learn essential strategies and tips for maximizing your success on the platform.
Conclusion
As I mentioned before, freelancing isn’t for everyone. For some people, it’s their dream job: they can be their boss, set their schedule, and choose which projects they work on. Other people have a harder time finding that balance.
But with the right tools, organization skills, and attitude it is possible to go freelance and never look back! And who knows? Maybe one day you’ll be sitting at home writing about how great freelancing is!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources for further reading on freelancing:
Benefits of Freelancing: Discover the advantages and perks of freelancing, including flexibility, independence, and the potential for higher income.
Making It as a Freelancer: Learn valuable insights and tips on how to succeed as a freelancer, covering topics such as finding clients, managing finances, and building a strong portfolio.
The Future of Work: Building a Millionaire Freelancing Career: Explore the evolving landscape of freelancing and strategies for building a lucrative freelance career, including positioning yourself as a top expert in your field.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Know If This Is The Right Career For Me?
It’s not impossible to be a freelancer. If you’re asking this question, then it’s probably not.
How Do I Know Where To Start?
Start with the basics what kind of work do you like doing? What kind of people do you like working with? Are there any particular skills or experience that would help you feel more confident when approaching potential clients?
Do some research on the types of clients who hire freelancers in your field, and try to find an example of what they’re looking for.
How Much Money Should I Charge For My Services?
There’s no magic number here the important thing is that whatever rate you choose feels fair and reasonable for both parties involved in the transaction.
If it feels too low or too high, that might be an indication that something else needs adjusting before moving forward with a client relationship. If it feels like a very good fit, then that’s a win! Go ahead and get started on creating some estimates!
How Do I Start A Freelancing Business?
First, you’ll want to make sure that your skills are marketable. Once you’ve identified what kind of work you want to do, it’s time to think about how to get started. You can look for clients on sites like Upwork and Freelancer, but if you’d rather go the more traditional route and find clients yourself, there are plenty of resources to help you out.
Do I Need An Office?
Not necessarily! Many freelancers work from their home offices, coffee shops, libraries, or co-working spaces. Many freelance jobs don’t require any kind of formal setup at all they just require a computer and an internet connection.
Do I Need Health Insurance?
Maybe! If you’re working full-time as a freelancer in one location (and not traveling), then yes you should look into health insurance options for yourself and your family members who live with you.
But keep in mind that many companies will cover their employees while they’re working remotely so check with yours before jumping into anything too expensive!
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.